Bryson has Rory in his long range

HE’S UP FOR KIAWAH DEMANDS

BRYSON DeChambeau is ready to out-hit Rory McIlroy on the biggest course in Major history at the US PGA this week – and start a longrunning rivalry with the Ulsterman.

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island stretches for a mammoth 7,876 yards along the Atlantic Coast. Sam Horsfield, who played a practice round in South Carolina last week, reported: “It was brutal.”

More than 200 yards have been added since McIlroy won his first US PGA title by eight shots at the venue in 2012. And DeChambeau, who tops the PGA Tour driving stats ahead of McIlroy, said: “I’ve seen on TV what Rory did at Kiawah Island.

“He played really well out there, and his game, his length, is a tremendous advantage, as well as mine hopefully will be next week. It’s one of the longest championships we’ve ever played and I’m excited for that, because any time it’s a super long golf course, it fits into my hands quite nicely.”

McIlroy won his first event for 18 months at the Wells Fargo Championship earlier this month to return to the world’s top 10.

“He’s obviously got great chances,” said the US Open champion. “We all knew he was going to go back and win at some point. He was struggling but his resolve is truly incredible and his ability to play the game of golf is undeniably unbelievable.

“I would say that there are numerous facets about his game that, if he continues to improve, he is going to a force to be reckoned with for a long time and will continue to do so probably for the rest of his life. That’s exciting.

“I like playing against people who are continuing to dedicate themselves to playing the best golf they can possibly play and I want to play with the best players in the world and continue to challenge myself as well.”

World No.86 Horsfield added: “It is a great golf course. Unreal. It is up there with the hardest courses I have ever played.”